According to a recent permit filing, a new matcha tea business called Matcha Me Cafe is coming to University District. The permit details work to be performed at 2348 N High St that includes updating the flooring and cabinets, as well as painting and trim work.
Ad detailed on the company’s website, Matcha Me Cafe serves “the finest ceremonial grade matcha sourced directly from Japan.” The cafe is owned by Gardenia Gomez, who tells What Now Columbus that all the matcha served at the cafe will be made to order and prepared in a ceremonial way by blending the matcha powder with a whisk and using a matcha bowl. When it comes to the quality of the matcha, the type served at the establishment isn’t what you might typically find in Columbus. That’s because Gomez, who is an OSU graduate, has spent a lot of time traveling to New York and experiencing a more elevated type of matcha beverage during her visits.
“There are different grades of matcha. Culinary grade matcha is used for baking, but ceremonial grade is extracted differently,” Gomez said. “You can see and taste the difference. The color is much more vibrant,” she further explained of the ceremonial grade matcha.
Gomez said the menu will primarily concentrate on matcha based beverages such as lattes and matcha lemonades. The establishment also plans on serving espresso drinks, as well as an assortment of pastries sourced from a local bakery.
The cafe’s focus will be on carryout service, although there may be a handful of seats inside. When it comes to the interior’s decor, guests can expect a minimalistic aesthetic, with lots of natural wood inside. Situated on the corner of High Street and Patterson Avenue, an Indian restaurant is the upstairs tenant of the brick structure, with the cafe located on the lower level of the building.
Gomez said she anticipates opening the cafe by the end of May, if not sooner, but anyone wanting to keep up to date on the opening timeline should follow the business on Instagram.
